Is there a one-time purchase alternative to Harvest for freelance web developers?

Yes. Nexa is a $279 one-time purchase that includes invoicing, scheduling, CRM, time tracking, task management, and full accounting. Unlike Harvest at $13/month, you pay once and own it forever. Break even in 21.5 months.

How much will I save switching from Harvest to Nexa?

On Harvest at $13/month ($156/year), you save $-123 in year one and $156 every year after. Over 3 years: $244.

Can I pay for Nexa in installments?

Yes. Nexa is $279 as a one-time payment, or 3 payments of $99 ($297 total). Either way it is a one-time purchase — no subscription, no recurring fees.

Can I migrate from Harvest to Nexa?

Yes. Export your data from Harvest as CSV, import into Nexa in about 5 minutes. Most freelance web developers switch in 1-2 days.

You're Switching from Harvest.
Here's Why Freelance Web Developers Choose Nexa.

Harvest

$13/mo

$156/year — every year, forever

Nexa

$279

Once. Own it forever.

or 3 payments of $99

Break even in 21.5 months. Then it's free forever.

"Switched from Harvest after the last price increase. Nexa does everything I needed for $279. Wish I'd done it sooner."

— Verified web developer, former Harvest customer

The Bottom Line

Freelance Web Developers on Harvest pay $13/month — $156/year. Over three years, that's $523. Nexa is $279 once. Break-even runs about 21.5 months. The median web developer earns $77,030/year, so Harvest's annual cost is roughly 0.2% of typical revenue — every year, forever.

Key Numbers

$77,030

Median web developer income

3.5%

Typical SaaS spend as % of revenue

21.5 mo

Break-even vs Harvest

$244

3-year savings switching to Nexa

What Harvest Is Costing You

The Damage

Harvest monthly $13/mo

Annual drain $156/yr

Year 2 (11.4% SaaS inflation) $174

Year 3 $194

3-year total $523

That's $523 gone. And you don't own anything. Stop paying, lose access.

Your Harvest subscription has cost you $0.00 since you opened this page.

Why Freelance Web Developers Leave Harvest

✗Per-user pricing: 10 users = $110-$140/mo

✗Forecast add-on adds another $5/user/mo

✗Full workflow (Harvest + Forecast): ~$480/mo for 30 users

✗No built-in PTO/leave management

✗Just time + invoicing - need other tools for CRM/scheduling

✗Added a new forecasting tool as a separate product... costs additional monthly fee per user

✗Instead of extending Harvest capabilities, they froze features and charge more

✗The hidden application fee structure makes it most expensive despite appearing affordable

Freelance Web Developers are leaving Harvest every week.

You're not the only one who's had enough.

Why This Matters for Freelance Web Developers

You're deep in a React build for Client A when Client B pings about a 'quick bug fix' on their WordPress site. You switch contexts, forget to change your time tracker, spend 45 minutes on the fix, and realize you billed those minutes to the wrong project. Meanwhile Client C's invoice is 18 days overdue and you need to send an awkward follow-up. Harvest and FreshBooks together cost you $28/month — $336/year — and neither handles project scope management.

Freelance Web Developers face unique challenges: Tracking billable hours across multiple client projects and internal work. Scope creep — 'one small change' turning into 5 hours of unpaid work. Clients who don't understand why maintenance costs money after launch. Harvest charges $11/month for time tracking that doesn't integrate with project management. Chasing invoices from clients who approved the work 3 weeks ago. On top of all that, Harvest charges $13/month ($156/year) — money that comes directly from your revenue. The median web developer earns $77,030/year. Software at $156/year is a meaningful percentage of that income, every year, forever. And you do not own anything.

Your Development workstation (high-spec laptop or desktop) is yours. You bought it once. Nexa works the same way — $279 once for invoicing, scheduling, CRM, time tracking, and full accounting. All connected. All offline-capable. You own it like you own your tools.

Your Full Stack Cost

Harvest is just one piece. What else are you losing money on?

Want this breakdown emailed to you?

Your exact Harvest cost, full stack total, and what switching saves. 10 seconds.

"I was paying Harvest $13/month and didn't question it until I did the math. $523 over 3 years for tools I don't even own. Nexa was $279. Once. Done."

— Web developer business owner

What You Get Instead

Feature	Harvest	Nexa
Invoicing	✓	✓
Scheduling	✗	✓
CRM	✗	✓
Time Tracking	✗	✓
Full Accounting	✗	✓ (SIMPL)
Task Management	✗	✓
Price	$13/mo forever	$279 once or 3 × $99
3-Year Cost	$523	$279
Stop paying?	Lose everything	Keep everything forever

Switching Takes 1-2 Days

Most freelance web developers are fully switched before the weekend.

Export your data

Go to Settings → Manage → Export. Download time entries, invoices, and expenses.

Set up Nexa

10-minute setup. Import your client list and project structure.

Start tracking in Nexa

Begin using Nexa time tracker. Import historical time data if needed.

Cancel Harvest

Cancel subscription. Download a final export for your records.

✓ Run both in parallel. Cancel Harvest when you're confident. Zero risk.

What freelance web developers actually deal with

Tracking billable hours across multiple client projects and internal work
Scope creep — 'one small change' turning into 5 hours of unpaid work
Clients who don't understand why maintenance costs money after launch
Harvest charges $11/month for time tracking that doesn't integrate with project management
Chasing invoices from clients who approved the work 3 weeks ago

A day in the life of a web developer

The tools a working web developer actually owns

Development workstation (high-spec laptop or desktop)
Multiple monitors
IDE licenses (JetBrains, etc.)
Domain registrar accounts
Hosting accounts and server infrastructure
Design software (Figma, Adobe CC)
Testing devices (phones, tablets)

Why freelance web developers leave the big platforms

harvest: $11/month per user. Decent time tracking but invoicing is basic. No project scoping, no contract management, no CRM.
toggl: $10/month for time tracking alone. Need invoicing too? That's another app and another subscription.
freshbooks: Good invoicing but time tracking is bolted on and clunky. The two features developers need most are both mediocre.

Where freelance web developers actually talk shop

r/webdev (Reddit)
r/freelance (Reddit)
r/webdesign (Reddit)
r/WordPress (Reddit)
r/reactjs (Reddit)
r/Frontend (Reddit)
DEV Community (dev.to) (Forum)
Hacker News (Forum)

Local freelance web developers on Nexa

Real freelance web developers near you who run their business on Nexa — book directly, no platform fee. Are you a web developer? Post your business and get found in your area — $2.99 one-time. Or browse every web developer on Nexa →

FAQ

Is Nexa really a Harvest replacement for freelance web developers?

For solo operators and small teams (1-5), yes. Nexa includes invoicing, scheduling, CRM, time tracking, task management, and full accounting. Harvest may be better if you have a large team (10+) or need enterprise-specific features.

$279 seems like a lot.

It's $7.75/month over 3 years. Harvest is $13/month — that's $523 over 3 years. Which is more? And if you'd rather split it, Nexa is also available as 3 payments of $99.

Can I pay in installments?

Yes. Nexa is $279 as a one-time payment, or 3 payments of $99 ($297 total). Either way it's a one-time purchase — no subscription, no recurring fees ever.

What if I don't like it?

30-day money-back guarantee. Full refund. If Nexa doesn't save you $500 in year one, you get every penny back.

Can I import my Harvest data?

Export your data from Harvest as CSV, import into Nexa in about 5 minutes.

Freelance Web Developers in Santiago

The average solo operator there spends about $2,000/year on software — and web developer face their own version of that math. Chile requires SII electronic invoicing. IVA at 19%. Requirements vary by country and locality. Check local regulations.

Most developed LATAM market. Nubox dominant. SII e-invoicing mandatory.

Numbers reflect typical solo operators in the Santiago metro. Your situation will vary.

If You Need These — Nexa Has Them

Specific gaps Freelance Web Developers run into with Harvest, and what Nexa does instead.

✗

Harvest gapScheduling

✓

NexaBuilt-in scheduling and booking — no separate tier.

✗

Harvest gapCRM

✓

NexaFull CRM module included in $279.

✗

Harvest gapFull financial suite

✓

NexaBuilt into Nexa’s $279 once purchase — no separate add-on.

Where Freelance Web Developers Talk Shop

If you want to compare notes or see how other freelance web developers are running their tools, here's where the conversation happens.

r/webdev, r/freelance, r/webdesign, r/WordPress

Forums

DEV Community (dev.to), Hacker News, IndieHackers

YouTube

Traversy Media, Web Dev Simplified, Kevin Powell, Fireship

Podcasts

Syntax.fm, ShopTalk Show, The Freelancers Show, CodePen Radio

"Harvest raised prices again and I was done. Found Nexa — $279 once. I own it. No more 'we're updating our pricing' emails. Best business decision this year."

— Web developer, switched from Harvest

Stop Losing $156/Year to Harvest

$523 over 3 years. Or $279 once (or 3 × $99). Own your tools.

Get Nexa — $279 Once